Anti-atherosclerotic Potential of Achyranthes aspera Husk and its Crude Saponins in Experimental Rats

Abstract

Achyranthes aspera L. (Amaranthaceae) is used traditionally in Indian system of medicine as diuretic, astringent, purgative, anticancer, dropsy, piles, and skin eruptions. To explore anti-atherosclerotic potential of crude saponins and ethanol extract of A. aspera seeds husk on hyperlipidemic diet induced rats model was used to increase the lipid profile. After 2 weeks, all the animals showed symptoms of hyperlipidemia and were treated with 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg ethanol extract (EE) respectively, while saponins (SAPN) at a dose of 10 mg/kg by gavage for 28 days. Serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), serum glucose and atherogenic index (A.I.) level were estimated on 0th, 14th and 42th day by using autoanalyser. EE of husks decreases TC 40.71-46.77 %, TG 23.95-37.27 %, LDL 56.49-65.50 %, serum glucose 17.48-25.54 % and A.I. 51.27-77.05 % significantly (P < 0.01). SAPN (10 mg/kg bodyweight) decreased TC, TG, LDL, glucose and A.I. by 48.21 %, 29.47 %, 72.26 %, 21.23 % and 82.29 % respectively (P < 0.01). EE and SAPN increased HDL level significantly (P < 0.01). The findings of the present work indicate the reversal of elevated A.I., TC, TG, LDL, serum glucose and AI level significantly associated with atherosclerosis.